Landscaping ~ Creating Curb Appeal

Making the outside of our home beautiful and creating curb appeal is very important to me. My love for flowers and landscaping comes from my parents. They had a beautiful yard and my Mom was a florist for 40 years.

This is our second Summer in our home, and last year, we never got around to working on the outside. So, this year, we were determined to get it done.

One of the things I love about our home, are the Window Boxes. We knew we wanted to paint, do the landscaping, the planters and window boxes. We have been working for several weeks on the landscaping and painting (well, actually Doug has been doing most of it), and we had some great before pictures. Then I got a new computer, and thought the old computer would last long enough for me to pull all the pictures off, but..well, it didn’t. So we will just have to use what pictures I have.

The front porch and steps were in desperate need of painting, they were a pale pink color. We also wanted the trim to stand out more, so we painted it also. The window boxes got painted the same color as the trim. And we painted the railing black.

We wanted the window boxes to match the style of our home, and not distract from the new painting, so we chose plants that are muted colors, with just a pop of color here and there.

After completing most of the painting, we added some planters and did a few projects.

My little wagon is my favorite, the house numbers were really simple too!

While visiting my Father-in-law several weeks ago, and rummaging around in the barns, (remember, my Chicken Feeder?) Doug found this really cool tricycle.

Your flowers are so pretty. I love the antique watering cans, and the way you have them going up the steps. I saw a miniature bicycle at Home Goods with flower pots attached to the seat, and a basket on the handlebars. What a great idea, to get your own old bike.

Love that little bike with the training wheels!! I can remember when our son was learning to ride- he was thrilled when he finally got to take them off and ride “big boy” style. Your house looks comfy, cozy, and very well taken care of. Like the little wagon and all of your accessorizing. I’m “borrowing” the idea of the little step ladder to feature my birdhouses. Thanks for the idea!! SueSue recently posted..The weather’s been hot- but I got cool finds…

I hope you did not give up on getting the pictures off your old harddrive. It can be done. (I have gurus, not real advice.)
Your house definitely has APPEAL.
All my neighbors have prettier front yards than we do. I try to spruce things up for holidays, but we need every day color.

The exterior of your home is really lovely. All of your additions are beautiful, I really love the tricycle and the ladder. Your flower boxes and flowers are so pretty, too.Cindy S recently posted..Yard Sale Finds

Congrats on improving not only the looks of your home, but it’s value. I’m sure it feels so good to work hard and see it really pay off. Love the window boxes and your pretty choice of flowers.gnee recently posted..Simplify Summer

Your boxes are lovely. I admire planters of all kinds, but I’ve learned (unfortunately) that I am not a responsible enough gardener to keep them alive, much less blooming. :/ All it takes is one day, and they’re dead in the Missouri heat. One of these days I’ll figure out how to “curb appeal” my house. In the meantime, I’ll just slobber over yours.

I’m visiting from Finer Things Friday – discover that you are a talented Hoosier (redundant, I know) – so I must Follow.

I am an accidently transplanted Hoosier so I really appreciate seeing photographs from that part of the country. Your yard is delightful and appealing. Thanks for brightening my day by inviting me to visit.Sharon Cohen recently posted..Finer Things Friday

@CupcakeLady,
I’m in Sacramento (California) now. I moved here over 9 years ago and cannot get adjusted. I miss Indiana an awful lot! But I will have to be content with vicarious visits for now. Too expensive to fly even when I am employed! My daughter, SIL and four of my grandchildren live in Fishers (just outside Indianapolis) on 5 acres of beautiful wooded land.Sharon Cohen recently posted..Finer Things Friday

I love your antique tricycle and your wagon. I have a bike that my kids literally pulled from a field…the wheel is all bent out of shape but I put it in my “funky garden” and it fits. Everything is looking so well at your home! Joni

It looks great! My husband and I are doing some major landscaping right now- I hope my yard looks as great as yours next year.
Also, if you still have the hard drive that failed, my husband just started a business that recovers data- Hard Drive Heroes. If you’re interested, here’s the link:http://www.facebook.com/pages/Hard-Drive-Heroes/341822530669?v=info

love your snt post!! What a great job getting that curb appeal. I love to put objects outside too. I have an English Cottage door I got for $20 I’m using to have a Mandevilla trailing up and around. fun stuff 😛

We have spent so much time every where else…but now is time for the front yard! We need flowers! It is hard because we are almost all shade in the front! I love your window boxes – there are tops on my list!Holly L recently posted..DIY Day! A Gift for my Kitchen

Thanks for participating. Your post and your home are beautiful – love the photos! It reminds me of when we lived in Ohio and had flower beds all around our home. Now the deer and chickens demolish anything I put our. Argh.
Please remember to include a link back to one of the 4 Moms so your link isn’t deleted from the list.KimC recently posted..4 Moms 35 Kids- Open House linky

Oh my gosh! I want to come visit you and your basement and your sheds! How lucky are you! I just found your site yesterday and LOVE it. I have spent a WONDERFUL morning going through all your pics, editorials, decorating ideas, etc. and just wanted to THANK YOU for starting my day off so great.